Staff / Instructors

BA, MS Western Illinois University. Over 35 years teaching experience in language arts, science, math, and gifted education. Presently teaching junior high science & language arts at St. Mary’s in Metamora. Recognized for teaching excellence in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, she is a 2006 recipient of 25 Women in Leadership Award for the Peoria area.

Paul is an instrument builder and world renowned composer whose music is aired on may traditional and contemporary venues. Paul also works with ex Ray Charles arranger David Hoffman to compose albums for Video, Film and Commercial application. He also works in the mental health field utilizing music in a therapeutic modality. Some of Paul and David’s music is designed specifically for Stress Management, Relaxation, and Meditation.

Sharon has pursued her artistic vision through the steady acquisition & command of a variety of disciplines, including cast glass, bronze, and ceramic in the sculptural realm. She also works with stained glass, printmaking, and drawing. The recurring theme in her work is the interconnection of people with the natural world. She has participated on expeditions with the Field Museum and onservation International to the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon, documenting the life ways of the Yanomami people through her art, and exploring conservation of endangered plant and animal species in isolated communities. She has run Opal Glass Studios since 1983 and continues to complete many important commissions and shows her work in galleries and museums.

Tom has been a practitioner and teacher of primitive technology, tracking and nature observation since he has been able to walk. He has been trained by his father, Tom Brown Jr., founder of the world-renowned Tracker School. He taught at the Tracker School between 2003 and 2009. He now combines his naturalist and life experiences at his own school in the Cincinnati area and travels the world seeking to educate people in the ways of our ancestors and passing down the skills that were at the forefront of their lives.

BS, ISU, Art Ed & Studio Art. Doug is a second generation, professional fine arts printmaker. Studied and apprenticed with his father, Master Printer Robert DePauw. Currently has his own studio near Metamora, IL.

A multi-percussionist, educator and instrument maker, Chad received his certificate of training at Oficina de Investigacao Musical in Salvador, Bahia Brazil. He is in the tradition of musicians around the world who customize and design their own instruments to suit their individual playing style. His instrument endorsees have worked with Sting, Paul Simon, Yo-Yo Ma and Vinx to name a few. As a performer/educator Chad is in considerable demand. Numerous lectures and workshops on Brazilian percussion for public and private schools through out North American, an Illinois Arts Council Arts Tour artist since 2001, and Sun Foundation staff instructor since 1997. In addition to local and regional guest performances, Chad continues his cultural studies with djembefola Mousa Bolokada Konde. For more info – www.chaddunn.com

Ella Brown Dunn is a graduate of the University of Illinois Fine Arts Department. She has spent the last 15 years teaching artists of all ages, assisting in gallery exhibits as well as showing her own work in various galleries and private collections. She currently heads the Fine Arts Department for Next Generation Primary School in Champaign, IL, sharing her love of all kinds of art with students from K-8. “I get to spend my day exploring, creating and celebrating art with the most inspiring people on the Earth – children. I can think of no more beautiful place to be than in the presence of a child’s imagination, creativity and wonder!” Mrs. Dunn resides in Champaign with her husband Chad Dunn and their daughter Zoe.

Ivan is the ecology and skills director of the Ndakinna Education Center dedicated to providing professional instruction in ecology, animal tracking, and wilderness survival. He trained as a geologist at the University of New Mexico and spends his life traveling and learning from indigenous people around the world. Ivan recently traveled to Namibia, where he tracked with the Ju’hoansi (Bushmen) through the Kalahari. Ivan spends his hours in the woods and writing an outdoors column for a local newspaper. Ivan homesteads at his log cabin in Upstate New York where he studies survival and tracking in the natural world.

Dan is currently a teacher of the subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy, Environmental Science, Agriculture and Agriculture science at La Moille High School. He is a 5th generation farmer with experience growing commercial crops, livestock, bees, orchards and maple sugar. In college he lead trips backpacking, spelunking, canoeing and rock climbing at NIU outing center while majoring in chemistry and physics. Dan has also taught outdoor education at Loredo Taft Field campus as part of the outdoor education masters program and is part of Tom Brown Jr.’s tracer school apprentice program.

Ph.D. Harvard University. Dr. Foster is a professor who discusses his subject as enthusiastically with an 8 year old as with his college students. Dr. Foster’s classes are always popular and fill up fast. He is a professor of Geology at Bradley University.

BS, MS Ed, ISU. Shelly taught science and writing for ten years in her capacity as special education teacher and was teacher/director of her district’s gifted & talented program. She has taught preschool science classes locally, as well as education courses at ICC & Bradley. Shelley is now Literacy/Math Coordinator at Peoria Christian School, and regularly volunteers to teach art and science lessons in elementary classrooms.

Susie Grana is a Naturalist at Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights, where she enjoys sharing her love of nature with people of all ages. Previously she had wonderful experiences working for Illinois State University, the National Science Foundation, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Brookfield Zoo. She recently obtained her M.S. degree in Conservation Biology and wrote a very long thesis about mating behavior in songbirds.

Ann is a professional actress who shares her time between the Central IL area, Chicago, and LA. Her favorite stage roles include Peter in “Peter Pan”, Lady Macbeth in “Macbeth” and Narrator in “Joseph . . . Dreamcoat. When not performing Ann teaches acting/voice/piano to a select group of private students and manages a few of them in their acting endeavors. She trained at the Actors Center in Chicago, Edgecliff, ISU and Bradley, and recently studied with Leslee Dennis, LA casting director for Lifetime Networks.“Acting, when done properly, is a skill that is meant to make itself extinct”

BS, MS Indiana University. Dell spent nearly 2 years living primitively in the wilderness with the Tracker School. She and her husband have run their own wilderness skills school and still teach wilderness survival skills courses at Indiana University in Bloomington. Currently she teaches Chemistry and Physics at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Indiana.

Steve spent nearly 2 years living primitively in the wilderness with the Tracker School. He and his wife Dell have run their own wilderness skills school and still teach wilderness survival skills courses at Indiana University in Bloomington. Currently he teaches Earth/Space Science and Biology at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Indiana.

B.A. Western Illinois University, M.F.A. Bradley University. Chris Holbrook is a designer, draftsman, painter, muralist, printmaker, mixed media & clay sculptor and a diversely talented artist whose practice involves these crossover influences. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He is an avid outdoorsman with a sharp eye for incorporating the richness of nature based textures into his work. He studies patterns in nature, and intuitively incorporates them in unusual combinations. Chris loves connecting with kids and has taught at Lakeview Museum, the Peoria Art Guild, and the Contemporary Art Center as well as at many other venues.

AA, Illinois Central College. Professional herpetologist with the Peoria Glen Oak Zoo. Doug works to promote understanding and appreciation for all species of amphibians and reptiles – those endangered as well as the common ones that live in our gardens and backyards.

Dean is a Naturalist at the Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria. He has taught environmental education and natural history to Peoria residents and their children at the Nature Center for 25 years. He holds a B.A. (Elementary Education), and an M.S. (Park and Recreation Resources)

BS, Illinois State University. Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. This will be his 6th consecutive year working at ASIW, and has been mentored by former instructors Ed Willi & Yona Lunken. David grew up in the Central Illinois woodlands and spent countless weeks hiking trails, identifying various plants and animals, and exploring new areas.

Mike is a 32 year old global artist. He grew up in the Southern California world of skateboarding, surfing, graffiti, and primitive skills. He has done skateboard graphics for prominent youth subculture brands such as Element, Toy Machine, Volcom, Obey, Baker, and Ecko. Kershnar is also a huge lover of rock poster art and has done posters for bands such as Morrissey, Wilco, Midnite, Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, and the Beastie Boys. His favorite artists include Robert Crumb, Keith Haring and Basquiat.

Vern retired after spending 47 years as a Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer. He has both radio and television broadcast experience. He worked with planning, construction, installation, deployment and equipment marketing for radio and TV studio and RF transmitting equipment operations for many group owners, major networks and international broadcasters with facilities in the USA and worldwide. He is a past state chairman for the Emergency Broadcast System and active Extra class amateur (ham) radio operator W5UYF.

“The Poetic Storyteller”. Oba is a favored & passionate presenter at educational, community and church events throughout the Midwest. Oba’s rich history includes a stint as a touring presenter for National Public Library, Bermuda Island; “Breaking Chains” a one-man show at Beatrice Community College in Nebraska; and an award nomination for the lead role in Dracula at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago. Oba encourages students to make positive choices to build self image, self esteem and communication skills. He shares the traditional art form of Storytelling as if it were a sacred gift. Oba is an alumnus of Western Stage Conservatory for Theater Arts in Salinas, CA. Learn more about Oba @ www.gigsalad.com/the_poetic_storyteller_chicago

Kathy received her BSN from Illinois Wesleyan University. She has taught origami to people of all ages for over 25 years at libraries, schools, an art gallery and with private students. Four years ago she founded Origami Peoria Area. She is currently a master trainer for Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, makes banners for her church, and is a member of Origami USA and the British Origami Society. Kathy is the 2010 recipient of the Ranana Benjamin teaching award from Origami USA. She has been part of a juried World Origami program for children. Kathy is a long time volunteer and supporter of the Sun Foundation.

Graduated from ISU and has taught elementary and pre-kindergarten for over 20 years. She is currently the director and lead teacher for Metamora Community Preschool.

BFA University of Iowa. Doug traveled the world for 30 years as Caterpillar’s senior advertising photographer. He now teaches digital photography at ICC and runs a fine art photography business. Doug will be assisted by his wife Eileen in teaching his class that will focus on improving the photography skills of the students.

Graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BS in I&T Management. He has had a lifelong interest in radio communications and has been involved professionally with the communications industry for over thirty years. He currently works with NEC Corporation designing and selling microwave radio communications networks. He holds an amateur radio call – WA9TKE – and is present State Director for Illinois Army Military Auxiliary Radio Systems (MARS).

Adam has taught in the Peoria area over the last 8 years, both at the CAC of Peoria and Lakeview Museum. He keeps a painting studio in downtown Peoria in the CAC. His degree is from Illinois State University and he was mentored by Preston Jackson and Jere Allen. Currently he is the IT director for a school in the northern part of the state while teaching and practicing painting on the weekends.

Kimberly has experience in teaching daycare and Jr. High science and health classes. When her children were born she began in-home child care. She says her house is always filled with children and she organizes events at her home such as “leaf parties, game nights and an annual food fight!”

Tom has spent the greater part of his adult life studying indigenous/hunter-gatherer cultures and teaching these skills to a myriad of students throughout the country. During his early 20’s he was an instructor at the world-renowned Tracker School, from there he went on to obtain a double major from Rutgers University in Anthropology and Geography. Currently, he is pursuing a Masters degree in Policy and Human Rights of Indigenous cultures while also traveling to remote areas, learning from isolated tribal groups. Tom is an avid surfer, climber, potter, photographer, wilderness survivalist and tracker.

BA, University of Illinois. Jim has extensive experience as both a professional videographer & technical consultant. He was the principal videographer on the highly acclaimed Frontline documentary “The Farmer’s Wife” and “Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham and the American City”. Currently he is the Technical Director of Kartemquin Films in Chicago and teaches Digital Cinematography at Columbia College. Jim is a 36 year veteran of Art & Science in the Woods.

Growing up in Swansea(Wales, UK), Joe became obsessed with insects at age 7. He obtained a B.S. in Zoology from Imperial College, London, and a PHD from the University of Cambridge, UK. Currently he is a postdoctoral research fellow at Columbia University, NYC, where he studies the genetic control of insect development, and the evolutionary relationships of his favorite group of beetles. He is eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with anyone prepared to listen.

Tim says he likes to fish, fish, fish! He has fished all his life and deeply loves the sport. He sells fish bait for a living and talks fish every day of his life. He loves to share his expertise with folks young and old.

Courtney has pursued a passion for primitive skills for 10 years and trained under several outdoor survival schools across the nation; including a yearlong understudy at the Tom Brown Tracker School and an apprenticeship with Ed Wentzler. She has taught survival workshops for kids and adults alike, and has worked as an instructor for The Children of the Earth Foundation. Courtney now lives in the mountains of Idaho, where she is a CrossFit Trainer and Photographer.

Lorraine worked as a school counselor for 35 years and is currently working at Peoria Notre Dame High School. She learned to make jewelry for fun and to be creative. Lorraine is currently the President of the Sun Foundation Board of Directors.

Kristi is currently working as a Naturalist at Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights. She studied Forestry and has worked in natural resource management and environmental education fields. She lives in Gridley, IL with her husband cat and gecko.

B.S. University of Illinois, M.S. Columbia University, PhD in progress at Columbia University. Heidi is a biologist and longtime herpetology enthusiast. Heidi has experience teaching science undergraduates and has given several talks on amphibian conservation. She believes that getting students involved in science and conservation at a young age is essential to preserving biodiversity.

BS. Eastern Illinois University. Retired teacher of 35 years (elementary science). Dennis is an outdoor enthusiast assisting with the Creek Walk for Conservation Camp at Lake Thunderbird. He continues working for conservation practice as past President of the Putnam County Conservation Board of Trustees. Dennis participates in IVCC’s summer program, Outdoor ED’Venture, as rocketry instructor and is also Judge and Launch Supervisor for the Marshall-Putnam 4H Fair Aerospace division.

Randy is a maker of hundreds of Native American Flutes that have been purchased by musicians around the world. He operates his business, Thunder Bear Flutes, here in Central Illinois and crafts instruments to exacting specifications demanded by professional musicians.

Michael is the Director of the Illinois State Museum – Dickson Mounds. He received a Ph.D. from Northwestern University in anthropology. An archaeologist, Wiant has for more than 40 years explored the long history of Native Americans in the Illinois River basin. He shares his insights on the subject through public lectures, teaching and publication. His research interests range from stone tool technology to changes in the landscape of Illinois.

Dr. Travis Wilcoxen is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He studies the interaction of ecology, physiology, and behavior of birds and amphibians. His current research uses local Illinois species, such as the Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, and Eastern Bluebird. Travis is originally from Lewistown, Illinois, and is a Eureka College graduate. He and his wife, Jessa now reside in Pana, Illinois. Travis enjoys cooking, birdwatching, wildlife photography, fishing and hiking as well as reading science fiction novels, playing basketball and always supporting the Chicago Cubs.

Fox is an internationally renowned storyteller, author and naturalist. He is also a museum consultant and has worked with the Field Museum, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History to provide teacher training, develop curriculum and present public programs. He is the Artistic Director for Prairie Folklore Theatre, a unique theatre company that celebrates ecology and history through original musical theatre. Fox is the author of eleven books including the critically acclaimed Charles Darwin and his Revolutionary Idea. Learn more@ www.foxtalesint.com

Growing up in New England, artist Perrin Hendrick cultivated a love for both the wild places of the rural northeast landscape and painting and drawing those places. A deep connection to the natural world has strongly shaped his approach to painting, both in terms of landscape and the human figure. Influences include aboriginal art, expressionist painting and urban graffiti have inspired works which take on a dreamlike quality and speak of both the fleeting moment and the eternal, the sacred and the profane. His works are shown throughout the Northeast.

MFA University of Illinois. Recipient of the State of Illinois Lincoln Award. Nationally exhibited sculptor and professional musician. Chairman of Sculpture Department, Art Institute of Chicago. Sun Foundation Board Member and Arts Advisor